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B. Monkey

1998, Movie, R, 90 mins

B. Monkey: Review

B. MONKEY
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A curious mix of flashy crime melodrama and sappy love story, this lurid thriller directed by IL POSTINO's Michael Radford has been knocking around for the better part of three years awaiting US release. London-based Italian waif Beatrice (Asia Argento) is an armed robber, a thief nicknamed "B. Monkey" for her skill at getting into and out of tight spots; she even has a monkey tattooed on her shoulder. She lives with Paul (Rupert Everett), a dissipated upper class drug dealer, and volatile street kid Bruno (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) in an emotionally complicated menage-a-trois, but is beginning to long for a simpler, more normal life. Her opportunity comes when she meets Alan (Jared Harris), a jazz-loving schoolteacher who spots her in a pub and falls head over heels. Beatrice abandons Paul and Bruno, tells her various other criminal cohorts that she's retired, and sets up house with Alan. But surprise: You can take the girl out of the underworld, but you can't take the underworld out of the girl. Gorgeous and dopey at the same time, this film is mostly notable for the English-language debut of Asia Argento, the grave, smoky-voiced daughter of Dario Argento, the Italian horror director. Argento is captivating; you truly can't take your eyes off her. Co-star Everett turns in a fabulously seedy performance as the dissolute Paul (the film was made before MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING landed him on Hollywood's A-list), and VELVET GOLDMINE's Rhys-Meyers is a study in razor-sharp cheekbones and rent-boy chic. But the love story is ridiculous, and the richly overwrought cinematography, while beautiful, further undermines whatever credibility the narrative might have had. Overall the film is a stylish lark with no resonance, a mean-spirited one-night stand of a movie. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
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